JP4309678B2 - Sphere guide member and gaming machine equipped with the ball guide member - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a ball guide member applied to the gaming machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ball guide members (such as a stage and a croon) that are applied to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine that introduces a game ball and plays a game and change the flow of the game ball are known.
In the stage as an example of the ball guiding member, for example, the game ball is repeatedly rolled (swinged) around the lowest point of the undulation formed on the surface thereof, so that the game ball stays for a certain period of time. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In a croon as an example of a ball guiding member, for example, a game ball guided by a gently sloping croon surface with a lower central portion rolls on the croon surface in a circumferential direction for a certain period of time, and then enters a plurality of entrances. It is configured to enter one of the ball openings (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).
By using a ball guiding member such as a stage or a croon, the game ball can be retained for a certain period of time and the flow of the game ball can be changed, so that the visual interest is improved.
[0004]
However, it is usually difficult to increase the size of the ball guide member because it is necessary to arrange the ball guide member in a space having a small depth or width. Therefore, in the ball guiding member as in the above prior art, there is a limit in the residence time of the game ball on the ball guiding member, and it is difficult to improve the interest by further increasing the residence time.
Therefore, recently, a stage is known in which the residence time of the game ball is further increased by arranging undulating surfaces in multiple stages (see, for example, Patent Document 4), but in such a stage, the thickness is increased. It becomes difficult to arrange in a space with a low height.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-157742 A [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-171248 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-10393 [Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent No. 3319444 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a ball guide member that can be visually improved and a gaming machine including the ball guide member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a ball guide member that can be arranged in a narrower space and a gaming machine including the ball guide member.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a ball guiding member (1) applied to a gaming machine in which a game ball is introduced to play a game, and is inclined so that a central portion is lowered. A croon surface (12) in which a plurality of entrances (6L to 6R) into which a game ball can enter is formed at the center thereof, and provided around the clune surface, A ball guide member including a plurality of guide paths (131 to 134) arranged in multiple stages for guiding.
[0008]
The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, the game ball rolls on a plurality of taxiways arranged before entering the entrance of the Kroon surface, so the time until the game ball enters the entrance is lengthened. In addition, the movement of game balls can be varied. Therefore, interest can be improved visually.
[0009]
In addition to the circular shape, the croon surface in the present invention includes an oval shape and a polygonal shape that allows the game ball to rotate.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of guide paths (131 to 134) include a swing path (133) having undulations for swinging and retaining the game ball, and a game ball from the swing path. 2. The ball guiding member (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide path (134) for guiding the force toward the croon surface (12) with momentum.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the speed of the game ball is changed by swinging the game ball on the swing path, slowing down the speed at which the game ball rolls, and then energizing the guide path to guide the croon surface. Can be given. Therefore, the interest can be further improved visually.
The invention described in claim 3 includes a projection (28) for guiding a game ball from the guide path (134) in a tangential direction with respect to the clown surface (12). This is a spherical guiding member (1).
[0011]
According to this configuration, after the game ball is guided in the tangential direction with respect to the cruning surface and rolled on the cruising surface in the circumferential direction for a certain time, it can be put into any of the plurality of entrances. Therefore, since it is possible to lengthen the time until the game ball enters the entrance, it is possible to improve the entertainment more visually.
It is preferable that the guide path (134) includes inclined surfaces (271, 272) for smoothly guiding the game ball toward the clown surface (12).
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least two adjacent taxiways among the plurality of taxiways (131 to 134) have undulations, and the peaks (poles) of the undulations overlap vertically. The ball guiding member (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ball guiding member (1) is arranged so as not to be positioned (so as not to be positioned one above the other).
According to this configuration, the peaks of the undulations (the top point and the bottom point) are arranged so as not to overlap in the vertical direction, so the top point and the bottom point of each taxiway are in the vertical direction. The thickness of the ball guiding member can be reduced as compared with the conventional multistage type ball guiding member (stage) arranged to overlap. Therefore, the ball guiding member can be arranged in a narrower (lower height) space.
[0013]
Invention of Claim 5 is a gaming machine which introduces a game ball into a game area (for example, a game board) and performs a game, Comprising: The ball guide member (1) in any one of Claims 1-4 is used. The gaming machine is characterized in that the game ball can be guided to a predetermined position in the game area by the ball guiding member.
According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a gaming machine including a ball guide member that exhibits the same effect as that of any of the first to fourth aspects of the invention.
[0014]
In particular, the ball guiding member is used to execute a jackpot lottery to determine whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player (can acquire a large number of prize balls) for entering the game ball. Guide the game ball to a predetermined passage area (predetermined position) for granting a privilege to the player, such as a mouth or a winning port for giving a predetermined number of prize balls to the player for entering the game ball Can attract the attention of the player in the flow of the game ball. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can be visually improved.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a display device 2 including a ball guide member 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the ball guiding member 1 is detached from the display device 2. However, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the lower left direction is described as the front, and the upper right direction is described as the rear.
[0016]
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this display device 2 is applied to, for example, a pachinko machine that launches a game ball toward a game board and plays a game. For example, the game board has a start opening that allows a game ball to be entered in the process of falling along the board surface of the game board. If a game ball enters the start board, A jackpot lottery is performed to determine whether or not to execute a jackpot game advantageous to the player (a number of winning balls can be obtained).
[0017]
The display device 2 is provided with a drum display 3 used for displaying the result of the big hit lottery. The drum display 3 has, for example, a substantially cylindrical shape, and a plurality of types of symbols (numbers, patterns, etc.) are drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof. For example, the drum display 3 is covered with a cover 4 other than the front side (upper side, lower side, rear side and end surface side), and is held by the cover 4 so as to be rotatable around an axis.
[0018]
When a game ball enters the start port, the drum display 3 starts rotating around the axis and stops after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the rotation of the drum display 3 stops, any of the above-mentioned multiple types of symbols becomes visible from the front, and the player determines whether or not the jackpot lottery result is a big hit based on the symbols (stop symbols). To be notified.
On both the left and right sides of the drum display 3, for example, introduction members (a left introduction member 5L and a right introduction member 5R) for guiding a game ball falling along the game board into the display device 2 are arranged. Each introduction member 5L, 5R has a shape that is curved in an approximately L shape from the front upper side to the rear lower side of the display device 2, and an opening 51 that opens forward is formed at the upper end portion thereof. Has been. When the display device 2 is attached to the pachinko machine, the openings 51 of the introduction members 5L and 5R face the board surface of the game board, and the game balls falling along the game board are inserted into the introduction members 5L and 5R from the opening 51. It is possible to guide to the rear lower side in the display device 2 through the introduction members 5L and 5R.
[0019]
A fixed space S is formed below the drum display 3 and the cover 4 (see FIG. 2). The ball guiding member 1 is arranged in the space S, for example, and a plurality of (for example, three) entrances 6L and 6C are used as game balls guided into the display device 2 through the introduction members 5L and 5R. , 6R. Below each entrance 6L, 6C, 6R, discharge paths 7L, 7C, 7R extending in the front-rear direction are formed. The front ends of the discharge paths 7L, 7C, and 7R are open, and when the ball guide member 1 (display device 2) is attached to the pachinko machine, the front ends of the discharge paths 7L, 7C, and 7R face the board surface of the game board. It becomes a state.
[0020]
Therefore, the game balls that have entered any of the entrances 6L, 6C, 6R are guided forward through the discharge paths 7L, 7C, 7R corresponding to the entrances 6L, 6C, 6R, and the game board It is released toward the board surface. In the game board, for example, a start port is arranged below the central discharge path 7C, and a game ball falling from the central discharge path 7C onto the board surface of the game board falls from the other discharge paths 7L and 7R. It is easier to enter the starting port than a game ball.
[0021]
As described above, the game ball that has entered the opening 51 from above the left and right sides of the display device 2 is guided to the lower part of the display device 2 by the introduction members 5L and 5R, and then guided to the ball guiding member 1. The display device 2 is returned to the board surface of the game board from below the central portion in the left-right direction. According to such a configuration, it is possible to give the player a sense that the game ball is warped, so that the interest of the game is further improved. In particular, the game balls are guided to the different discharge ports 7L, 7C, and 7R by the incoming ball openings 6L, 6C, and 6R, and depending on which of the discharge ports 7L, 7C, and 7R is released, Since the ease of entering is different, the player pays attention to which entrance 6L, 6C, 6R the game ball enters, and the interest is further improved.
[0022]
For example, a substrate 9 to which a plurality of LED elements 8 are electrically connected is attached to the lower surface of the ball guiding member 1. Each LED element 8 is arranged such that the optical axis extends upward (the ball guiding member 1). The ball guiding member 1 is made of a light-transmitting material such as polycarbonate, and a plurality of irregularities are formed on the lower surface thereof. Therefore, when a plurality of LED elements 8 are caused to emit light, the irradiated light is irregularly reflected by the irregularities on the lower surface of the sphere guiding member 1 so that the entire sphere guiding member 1 is brightly illuminated. Thereby, visual interest can be improved more.
[0023]
For example, protrusions 10 extending in the front-rear direction are formed at the left and right ends of the ball guide member 1, and engaging recesses 11 corresponding to the protrusions 10 are formed at the lower inner surface of the left and right end surface walls of the cover 2. It extends in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 2). The ball guide member 1 is attached by being inserted into the space S below the drum display 3 from the front of the display device 2 so that the protrusion 10 extends along the engagement recess 11.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ball guiding member 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of the ball guiding member 1. However, the arrows shown in FIG. 3 indicate the flow of the game ball rolling on the ball guiding member 1, and are written so as to extend from a high position to a low position.
[0024]
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ball guiding member 1 is arranged in multiple stages to guide the game ball to the cruising surface 12 and a substantially circular cruising surface 12 in which the entrances 6L, 6C, 6R are formed. And a plurality of guiding paths (for example, four of a first guiding path 131, a second guiding path 132, a third guiding path 133, and a fourth guiding path 134).
The first guide path 131 extends, for example, to the left and right behind the croon surface 12 and has a width of about 15 mm in the front-rear direction. Normally, the diameter of the game ball (pachinko ball) is about 11 mm, and the game ball can roll in the left-right direction along the first guide path 131. The game ball guided into the display device 2 from the left introduction member 5L is guided onto the ball guide member 1 from the left end of the first guide path 131, and the game ball guided into the display device 2 from the right introduction member 5R is , Guided from the right end of the first guide path 131 onto the ball guide member 1.
[0025]
The first guide path 131 has, for example, undulations along the left-right direction, and the uppermost point 14H is formed at the approximate center in the left-right direction, and at the approximate center between the uppermost point 14H and the left end and the right end, respectively. The lowest point 14L is formed. Accordingly, the game balls guided from the introduction members 5L and 5R onto the first guide path 131 may be moved left and right around one of the lowest points 14L after getting over the highest point 14H depending on the momentum. Then, it rolls (oscillates) and stays on the first guide path 131 for a certain period of time.
[0026]
Around each lowermost point 14L, for example, a depression 15 that is inclined toward the second guidance path 132 side (front) is formed, and at the front end of the first guidance path 131 excluding the vicinity of these depressions 15. Is provided with a rib 16 for preventing the game ball from rolling forward. Therefore, the game ball guided to the first guide path 131 swings for a predetermined time around one of the lowest points 14L, and then falls from the recess 15 to the second guide path 132.
[0027]
For example, the second guiding path 132 extends in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the croon surface 12 and has a width of about 15 mm in the left-right direction at the narrowest portion (front end). The game ball guided forward from the depression 15 of the first guide path 131 may fall to the third guide path 133 depending on the momentum, but is normally guided to the second guide path 132 and the second It rolls forward along the guide path 132. For example, the second guiding path 132 is gently inclined (for example, 3 to 5 ° with respect to the horizontal direction) so that the rear side is lower, and the end on the side of the croon surface 12 is located from the front end to the rear end. A rib 17 for preventing the game ball from rolling down to the third guide path 133 is provided upright.
[0028]
Therefore, the game ball guided to the second guide path 132 from the first guide path 131 and rolled forward along the second guide path 132 usually rolls backward along the second guide path 132, It is guided to the third guide path 133 from the lowest point 18L at the rear end. However, depending on the momentum of the game ball guided to the second guide path 132, it may fall from the front end of the second guide path 132 to the board surface of the game board.
The third guide path 133 is, for example, a substantially semi-annular guide path extending adjacent to the first guide path 131 and the second guide path 132 on the side of the croon surface 12, and is the narrowest portion (the center in the front-rear direction). And has a width of about 15 mm in the radial direction. A game ball that has dropped directly from the first guide path 131 to the third guide path 133 or a game ball guided from the second guide path 132 to the third guide path 133 depends on the momentum of the game ball. Although it may fall to the 4th guide path 134 from an edge part, it rolls along the 3rd guide path 133 normally.
[0029]
The left part and the right part of the third guide path 133 have undulations (for example, 3 to 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction) along the front-rear direction, for example, the lowest point of the second guide path 132 An uppermost point 19H is formed on the rear side of the falling point of the game ball from 18L, and a lowermost point 19L is formed at the approximate center in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the game ball guided to the third guide path 133 stays on the third guide path 133 for a certain period of time by rolling back and forth, usually around the lowest point 19L, after rolling forward. It is supposed to be. However, depending on the momentum of the game ball guided to the third guide path 133, the game ball may fall from the front end of the third guide path 133 onto the board surface of the game board.
[0030]
Around each lowermost point 19L, for example, a recess 20 that is inclined toward the fourth guide path 134 side (the croon surface 12 side) is formed, and the left and right portions of the third guide path 133 are At the end portion on the 4th guide path 134 side, ribs 21 for preventing the game ball from rolling down to the 4th guide path 134 are erected before and after each recess 20. Therefore, the game ball guided to the third guide path 133 has the wall surface 22 (the wall surface of the stepped portion with the second guide path 132), the rib 20, and the outer periphery of the left and right portions of the third guide path 133. In the meantime, after swinging back and forth for a fixed time around the lowest point 19L, it falls from the depression 20 to the fourth guide path 134.
[0031]
The fourth guide path 134 is, for example, a substantially annular guide path that extends adjacent to the outer periphery of the croon surface 12 (the inner periphery of the third guide path 133), and has a width of about 15 mm in the radial direction. Yes. The game ball that has fallen from the rear end portion of the third guide path 133 to the fourth guide path 134 still falls from the rear end portion of the fourth guide path 134 to the croon surface 12, but from the recess 20 of the third guide path 133. The game ball guided to the fourth guide path 134 rolls along the fourth guide path 134.
[0032]
Ribs 23 are provided on the left and right ends of the fourth guiding path 134 to prevent the game ball from rolling on the croon surface 12. Therefore, the game ball guided to the fourth guide path 134 rolls between the rib 23 and the wall surface 24 (the wall surface of the stepped portion with the third guide path 133) that defines the outer periphery of the fourth guide path 134. .
The fourth guide path 134 has undulations (for example, 3 to 5 ° with respect to the horizontal direction) along the circumferential direction, for example, and a game from the depression 20 (the lowest point 19L) of the third guide path 133 An uppermost point 25H is formed on the near side of the ball drop point. Therefore, the game ball guided to the fourth guide path 134 from the recess 20 of the third guide path 133 is usually configured to roll backward along the fourth guide path 134, but depending on the momentum of the game ball May ride over the top point 25H and roll forward.
[0033]
A drop opening 26 is formed at the front end of the wall surface 24 that defines the outer periphery of the fourth guide path 134, and the front end of the fourth guide path 134 is opened forward by the drop opening 26. The drop opening 26 faces the board surface of the game board, and the game ball that has climbed over the uppermost point 25H of the fourth guide path 134 may fall from the drop opening 26 to the game board.
At the rear end of the fourth guide path 134, for example, a first inclined surface 271 inclined so as to become lower toward the croon surface 12 is formed. A second inclined surface 272 is formed so that the game ball rolls smoothly from the four guide paths 134 to the first inclined surface 271. Further, a protrusion 28 is formed at the rear end of the wall surface 24 that defines the outer periphery of the fourth guide path 134 so that the central portion in the left-right direction projects forward. The game ball that rolls while gradually accelerating on the fourth guide path 134 toward the rear side (with momentum) is exerted on the clown surface 12 by the action of the projection 28, the first inclined surface 271, and the second inclined surface 272. Therefore, it is guided smoothly in the tangential direction.
[0034]
The croon surface 12 is gently inclined (for example, 3 to 5 ° with respect to the horizontal direction) so that the central portion is lowered, and three entrances 6L, 6C, and 6R are formed in the central portion. ing. Since the inclination toward the center of the cruising surface 12 is gentle, the game ball guided in the tangential direction from the fourth guide path 134 to the cruising surface 12 rolls on the cruising surface 12 in the circumferential direction for a certain time. Then, it enters one of the three entrances 6L, 6C, 6R. The game ball that has entered the left entrance 6L is led to the left discharge path 7L, and the game ball that has entered the right entrance 6R is led to the right release path 7R and enters the center entrance 6C. The game balls are guided to the central discharge path 7C.
[0035]
In this embodiment, a plurality of guide paths (first guide paths 131) arranged in multiple stages before the game ball guided into the display device 2 enters the entrances 6L, 6C, 6R of the croon surface 12. , The second guiding path 132, the third guiding path 133, and the fourth guiding path 134), so that it is possible to increase the time until the game ball enters the entrances 6L, 6C, 6R, and the game ball Diversity in movement Therefore, interest can be improved visually.
[0036]
In particular, by swinging the game ball on the third guide path 133 and slowing down the speed at which the game ball rolls, the fourth guide path 134 provides momentum and guides it to the croon surface 12, thereby increasing the speed of the game ball. Can give change. Therefore, the interest can be further improved visually.
In this embodiment, the lowest point 18L of the second guide path 132 and the highest point 19H of the third guide path 133 are arranged so as not to overlap in the vertical direction (so as not to be positioned above and below each other). In addition, the lowermost point 19L of the third guiding path 133 and the uppermost point 25H of the fourth guiding path 134 are arranged so as not to overlap in the vertical direction. Therefore, the thickness of the ball guiding member 1 is made thinner than that of a conventional multi-stage ball guiding member (stage) arranged so that the uppermost point and the lowermost point of each guiding path overlap in the vertical direction. Therefore, the ball guiding member 1 can be disposed in a narrower (low height) space.
[0037]
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the number of guide paths for guiding the game ball to the croon surface 12 is not limited to four (first to fourth guide paths 131 to 134), and may be smaller or more.
The number of entrances 6L to 6R formed in the croon surface 12 is not limited to three, and may be more or less.
[0038]
The display device 2 is not limited to displaying the result of the jackpot lottery, but may display other information regarding the game content.
The ball guide member 1 is not limited to the configuration provided in the display device 2 and may be provided separately from the display device.
The ball guiding member 1 is not limited to a pachinko machine, but can be applied to other gaming machines (for example, smart ball machines) in which gaming balls are introduced to play games.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a display device including a ball guide member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a ball guide member is detached from the display device.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball guide member.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a ball guide member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sphere guide member 6L-6H Entrance entrance 12 Clune surfaces 131-134 1st-4th guide path 18L, 19L Lowest point 19H, 25H Uppermost point 28 Protrusion

Claims (5)

A ball guiding member applied to a gaming machine that introduces a game ball and plays a game,
A crean surface that is inclined so that the center portion is lowered and a plurality of entrances into which a game ball can enter is formed in the center portion,
A ball guiding member including a plurality of guide paths provided around the croon surface and arranged in multiple stages to guide the game ball to the croon surface. The plurality of taxiways are
A swing path having undulations for swinging and retaining the game ball; and
The ball guiding member according to claim 1, further comprising a guide path for guiding the game ball from the swing path with momentum toward the croon surface. The ball guiding member according to claim 2, further comprising a protrusion for guiding the game ball from the guide path in a tangential direction with respect to the clune surface. The at least two adjacent taxiways among the plurality of taxiways have undulations, and are arranged so as to be shifted so that peaks of the undulations do not overlap in the vertical direction. The ball guide member according to any one of 1 to 3. A gaming machine that introduces a game ball into a game area and plays a game,
The ball guide member according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A gaming machine characterized in that a gaming ball can be guided to a predetermined position in the gaming area by the ball guiding member.

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